A trade timed to the minute
The Connor Hellebuyck saga is over. The New Jersey Devils acquired the three-time Vezina Trophy winner from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, the same day his suspension for skipping training camp came to an end.
Winnipeg gets a haul. Forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad (who is on long-term injured reserve) head to the Jets, along with goaltender Nico Daws, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. The headline piece is prospect Alexander Command, taken 12th overall by the Devils in the 2026 draft.
Hellebuyck, 33, asked out this summer. In an Aug. 27 statement he said he had privately requested a trade “several months ago,” citing his family’s best interests. He holds a full no-movement clause, so nothing happens without his signature, and he is in the third year of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract.
no renewal
Free for 2 weeks.
What New Jersey is buying
The résumé is heavy. Hellebuyck won the Hart Trophy in 2025 after going 47-12-3 with a .925 save percentage, a 2.00 goals-against average and eight shutouts. He then started for the U.S. team that took gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. Across 625 NHL games he is 345-208-55 with a 2.58 GAA and a .916 save percentage.
Last season was rougher. He went 23-23-11 with a 2.86 GAA and a career-worst .895 save percentage, and Winnipeg missed the playoffs at 35-35-12. Whether that was a blip or a sign of wear is the question hanging over the deal.
A crowded crease in New Jersey
The Devils opened the season with Daws and Jake Allen in goal. Daws is now gone, so Hellebuyck and Allen look like the tandem. For Winnipeg, the focus shifts to rebuilding a roster without the player who carried it for years.
Discover the rest of our NHL news on MathODDS!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply